Google derive late to the smartwatch game and had a jumpy start withits first Pixel Watchin late 2022 . However , the companymore than redeemed itselfwith thePixel Watch 2 , a suitable replacement that prove Google was ready to be a competitor against more prove players like Apple and Samsung . Then , it gain it right out of the park with thePixel Watch 3 , make top placeamong the best smartwatches .
Not only does the Pixel Watch 3 bear exceptional battery living , splendid hardware , and a reasonable price tag , but it also packs in best - in - class wellness features , including a big one that even Apple and Samsung have yet to match : expiration of Pulse Detection .
Like many innovative smartwatch wellness feature film , Loss of Pulse Detection had a deadening offset since Google had to wait for regulatory approval . While Google announced it alongside the Pixel Watch 3 in August , it was n’t uncommitted at all until September , and that was only in the EU . It tookuntil February to get headway from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) , andbegan hustle out to user in the U.S. earlier this calendar month .
Nevertheless , it ’s still a feature film you wo n’t regain on any other smartwatch — at least not yet . We ’re sure Apple and Samsung are working on add together this to their own next - generation wearables , but for now , Pixel Watch 3 users are fortunate to have entree to this unique and potentially life - salvage feature . Here ’s everything you need to love about it .
What is Loss of Pulse Detection?
While pith rate monitoring has been a core health feature of nearly every smartwatch released in the past decade , Loss of Pulse Detection is one of those things that ’s so obvious in retrospect that you have to wonder why Apple or Samsung did n’t consider of it first .
As the name suggests , the Pixel Watch 3 can detect the absence seizure of a pulse while it ’s being have on on your wrist . It does this using the same optical sensors that are used to measure your nerve rate . If no pulse rate is detected , your watch will automatically place a call to pinch overhaul . It will do this even if you ’re unconscious , playing an automatize message that partake your fix and tell the operator that it ca n’t detect a impulse and you ’re unresponsive .
While this vocalise like a recipe for fake alarms , the Pixel Watch 3 will do its good to make certain you ’re in reality unresponsive before place the call . It begin by quietly vibrating , and if you move your arm or your pulse is suddenly detected again , the call will be cancelled as it presume you ’re okay . Google note that these " check - atomic number 49 " can materialize during your normal casual activities when the impulse sensor ca n’t get a right reading material , which is why they ’re automatically dismissed as soon as motion or a heartbeat is find . you may also tap " I ’m OK " to dismiss the check - in .
However , after 15 seconds of no pulse and no motility , the Pixel Watch 3 will begin a 20 - second countdown while playing a very gimcrack sound . At that point , you ’ll need to manually cancel the call by tap the " X " on the cover to sustain that you ’re conscious and it ’s not actually an emergency brake .
If the Pixel Watch 3 ends up calling emergency service , the automate message can also be interrupted by you or anybody else nearby by exploit on the screen so they can talk to the exigency operator directly .
How to turn on Loss of Pulse Detection
deprivation of Pulse Detection is n’t enable automatically on the Pixel Watch 3 . This is presumptively because Google wants to verify you translate the feature and know how it works . Fortunately , it ’s easy to enable . Here ’s how :
Step 1 : First , ensure you ’re running the latest interpretation of WearOS on your Pixel Watch 3 and theGoogle Pixel find out appon your paired smartphone is up to date . You ’ll want at least wear upon oculus sinister 15.1 with Personal Safety app update 2025.03.19.x .
Step 2 : start the Google Pixel Watch app on your phone .
Step 3 : ChooseSafety & emergency .
dance step 4 : SelectLoss of Pulse Detection . If this alternative does n’t seem , verify you ’re physically locate in a region where Loss of Pulse Detection is available ( see below for a list of patronage regions ) and confirm you ’re start the up-to-the-minute versions of the Personal Safety app on your ticker and the Pixel Watch app on your phone .
Step 6 : Once Loss of Pulse Detection is turned on , your Pixel Watch 3 will immediately begin monitor for a loss of pulse whenever you ’re wearing it . However , it ’s alsoimportant to make certain you ’re get into it properlyto get the good effect .
Which devices is Loss of Pulse Detection available on?
departure of Pulse Detection is available exclusively on the Google Pixel Watch 3 , and will presumptively be included on succeeding models of Google ’s smartwatch . Google has n’t said anything about bringing it to aged Pixel Watch models , nor have their been any authentic rumors to this upshot . This is n’t likely an arbitrary restriction on Google ’s part ; Loss of Pulse Detection requires a high degree of reliability to avoid fictive warning gadget , and the Pixel Watch 3 include a new modern multipath heart pace sensor that ’s undoubtedly more exact at consistently measure your heart charge per unit .
While Loss of Pulse Detection is uncommitted on both the Wi - Fi and LTE versions of the Pixel Watch 3 , it ’s crucial to note that the Wi - Fi version will only be able to place parking brake calls when it ’s in Bluetooth range of your paired smartphone . Regulatory requirements in the U.S. require that all cellular - capable devices be able to contact exigency services even when they ’re not connected to a program , and this should extend to the LTE Pixel Watch 3 . The same is true in Canada , several EU countries , the UK , Australia , and New Zealand , but some may still ask that you have an combat-ready programme .
Where is Loss of Pulse Detection available?
According to Google , Loss of Pulse Detection is currently available in Austria , Belgium , Denmark , France , Germany , Ireland , Italy , Netherlands , Norway , Portugal , Spain , Sweden , Switzerland , the United Kingdom , and the United States . The company is still working on arrest regulative headroom in other countries , and has committed to tally those to the list when the feature article has been cleared .
However , it ’s important to note that the availability of Loss of Pulse Detection is dependent on where you’rephysicallylocated , not where you purchased your watch or registered your Google account . This means you could find the feature handicapped when you ’re in an unsupported region . For example , if you live in the U.S. and move around to Canada , Loss of Pulse Detection will be temporarily suspended for the duration of your visit . It will be mechanically re - enabled as soon as you return to the U.S.
